JACKSON,
MI – Homeless prevention projects in Jackson will get their share of $1.6
billion in grants from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development to support
housing and service programs in the city.

Jackson
Continuum of Care is slated to receive $805,172 in grant renewals to continue
six housing programs in the city.

"We
provide three kinds of homeless housing programs," said Kate Martin, Continuum
of Care chairwoman. "Transitional housing, where we put up the homeless in
apartments for up to two years; scatter site vouchers we provide to private
landlords within the community; and apartment subsidies for lower income
residents."

Of
the grant funds offered to Jackson programs, $194,000 will be doled out to
subsidized housing at Garfield Square Apartments, and more than $250,000 will
be used for leasing programs in the city.

"Whether
it's helping to rapidly re-house families with young children or finding a
permanent home for an individual with serious health conditions, HUD is working
with local agencies to end homelessness as we know it," HUD Secretary Shaun
Donovan said.

Jackson
Continuum of Care is one of 276 programs across the state of Michigan that received funding. Michigan programs as a whole were granted about $57 million.

Six
states received more funding that Michigan, including Texas, Florida and
Pennsylvania. California's 815 programs received the most funding, with $254
million in grants.

Contact Will Forgrave at wforgrav@mlive.com or
517-262-7554. Follow him on Twitter at @WillForgrave.